Indicating torque-meter.



A. B. GUY. INDICATING TORQUE METER. APPL10ATION1`ILD AUC.1Q,1012A Patented May 13, 1913.

2 SIUITSA SHEET Il.

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halibut/MIL INDICATING TDRQUE-METEB.

Specicntion o1 Letters Patent.

Patented May 13, isis.

.Application filed August 12. 1912. Serial N191 714,678.

To all whom 'it man concern:

Be it known t at I, Anselm' E. GUY, a resident of iittshurgh, in the county of AL legheny and State of Pennsylvania, have inventeda new and useful .Improvement in y indicating l`orqiieMetei's, of which the fob meters.

The objects ot' 'the ,invention are to provide simple and improved apparatus for measuring the torque transmitted, in which the torque can be instantaneously read at any time, and which can he readily adapted to members which rotate at widely varying speeds.

The invention comprises the construction und arrangement of parts hereinafter deu scribed and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 represents au elevation of the connection between the driving anddriven members in a system arrangedA according to my mventionhparts being omitted; Fig. 2 is a cross section of the same on the line 2-2, Fig. l, and shown ing the indicating means; Fig. 3 is an eievation ofthe indicating scale and its sul porting traine, as viewed from the left in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of one end of a shaft, viewed from the ri lrht in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the same parte viewed from the left in Fi'g. Lig'Fig. 6 is a view, corresponding to F1 g. 1, of a modified form of the invention; F ig. 7 is a similar view of another modicat-ion; und Fig. 8 'is a detail view of the device shown in Fig. 7. l

According to my invention, I insertbetween the driving and driven members a shaft or rod, a definite length of which is subjected, during rotation of the parte, to torsion and, according to the amount of power transmitted, is twisted more or less. The twisted shaft orl rod is preferably disposed with its axis transverse to the axis of rotation, butin some cases may be parallei or at im angle thereto, and means are provided for measuring and indicating to the observer the amount of twist given to the shaft during rotation of the parts. Preferably, an optical method of observa.- tion is employed, since this affords the most accurate means of observation with the least complications in the apparatus.

In Figs. l to 5 of the drawings, the upparatus is'ai'ranged for enablin the torque transmitted by a motor l, which may be of any type or description, through a driving shaft f to a driven shaft 3, to be indicated and observed. The driving and driven shaft members 2 and 3 are disposed end to end, and in alinemerit with each other, and with their ends slightly spaced apart. Fixedly mounted upon thc nds of the shaft members are a pair of coupling members, which muy be formed as complete bevel gears, but are shown as comprising transversely disposed parallel members 4, 5, having gear segments 6 at their opposite ends.

Between the coupling members 4, 5 is mounted a shaft or rod 7, which is preferably formed of material of homogeneous composition and structure, and-provided ou both of its ends with bevel gear members 8,l

having teeth accurately cut or ground to mesh with the teeth on the gear segments 6 these bevel gears 8 being either integra with or very rigidly secured to the shaft or rod 7. Preferably, the two coupling mem bers 4 and 5 are so adjusted and spaced from each other that there will be no lost motion or play of the gears 8 between their mating gear segments 6. In other words, the pitch lines of the gear segments 6 and of the gears 8 must exactly coincide with each other.

In operation the driving shaft 2 is rotated by the motor 1, and in turn rotates the coupling nieruher 4. The gear-segment 6 on the member i tends to rotate the shaft 7 in one direction while the gear segmentat the other end of said member tends to rotate it in he other direction. The shaft is loosely held in place between the coupling members 4 and 5 and transmits the motion of one to the other. In the embodiment shown in Fig. l the shaft 7 and gears 8l fioat, as it were, between the two cou ling members 4 and 5, no positive means bei shown for holding or sup orting the r or shaft und the geur mem ers in fosition, although, however, such menne o a type ioni . members.

suitable to the particular machine may be provided if desired. The rotation of member 2 by the motor 1, thus places the rod or shaft 7 under torsion and twists that portion between the two gear members S. The amount of twist or torsion placed in the shaft 7 will depend upon the amount of torque transmitted from the shaft or member 2 to the member 3. Y l It 'Will, of course, be understood that. both the members 4 and 5 rotate with the shaft members 2 and 3 and carry the gears 8 and rod or shaft 7 around the axis of rotat-ion. Although I prefer to use the construction described, it is not essential that both members 4 and 5 be provided withL gear segments thereon.

So far as described to this point, the shaft or rod 7 constitutes a torque meter, in that its condition, or the amount of twist therein, always corresponds t0 the amount of torque in the shaft members 2 and 3.

Suitable means is provided for instantaneously indicating at all times the torque or tvvist inthe ashaft 7. vThe apparatus is particularly designed for use where power is transmitted at high speeds; for example, Where the shaft members revolve at several thousand revolutions per minute. From the above, it will be observed that each end of the rod or shaft 7, Where it is visible between the coupling members 4 and 5 passes a given point once at each revolution of the shaft At one side of the axis of rotation and horizontally in the same plane thereWith,-is mounted upon any suitable support a lamp or other illuminator 9, surrounded by a cover orshield 10 and provided 'With aa suitable projector 11 comprising a tube having a air ofparallel Walls 12 therein provided Wit small alined apertures 13, the Whole being so disposed and arranged as to cast a single beam of light rays horizontally and in the rod or shaft 7. A suitable lens or lenses may also be placed in the projector to concentrate the rays in the usual manner, if desired. Upon one end of the rod or shaft 7 is held a small mirror or retiector 14 having its surface inclined at an angle to the line of the beam of light' cast by the illuminator 9. This mirror or retiector may be a separate part secured to the shaft, or itmay be formed by merely cutting or carving and polishing the material of the shaftitself, preferred. A suitable frame 15 is also mounted at the same vside of the axis of rotation as the illuminato'r 9. 'The upper portion of this frame is semi-circular and carries a conical mirror or Vreflector 16, the surface of which is con-- centric with the beam of light cast by the illuminator 9, the angle of vinclination of any particular element of the conical surface of mirror or reflector 16 being such as to reflect any light rays coming from the refleclane of rotation of the tor 14, in a line parallel to the axis of the projector but in the reverse direction. Preferably, also a very thin, fine scratch, mark, or line 17 is formedl upon the central portion of the mirror 14, as shown in Fig. 5.

The apparatus described is used as follows: The mirror op reflector 14 is so placed or formed upon the end of the rod or shaft 7 that when the axis of tiie rod or shaft is horizontal and in line with the beam of light cast by the illuminator 9, this beam will illuminate the mirror or reflector, which therefore is visible in the mirror 16 by an observer looking thereinto in the direction of the line of sight A. The mirror 16 is graduated, as shown in Fig. 3, and with any preferred system of units. The mark or scratch 17 will appear in the line of sight A as a very so placed that, with the apparatus at rest, V

the indicating mark will be seen in line With or pointing to the Zero mark of the scale. Assuming the illuminator 9 to be lighted and the motor 1 t0 be started, the driving member 2 transmits power through the couplers 4 and 5 and to the driven member 3, twistingthe rod or shaft 7 as stated. Thus the mirror or reliector 14 is rotated to a given extent about the axis of the rod or shaft 7, the amount of this rotation depending upon the amount of twist in the shaft 7 and therefore, upon the torque translmi'tted. The shaft members 2 and rotate at very high speed and at each complete rotation thereof the mirror or reflector 14 Which is carried bodily by shaft 7 around the axis of members 2 and 3, passes the beam of light cast by the illuminator 9 and is illuminated thereby, so that it appears visible in mirror 16. Each time the mirror or rel-lector 14 passes, a distinct impression or image' of the indicating mark 17 is, therefore, seen upon the scale and the rapid succession of impressions of the mark 17 upon the retina of the eye gives the appearance of a maintained mark or pointer. The scale is, of course,J calibrated and may be made to read in any desired units. Preferably, however, the nu. bers upon the scale will be calculated to include certain constants so that, to obtain the actual-power transmitted, it will only be necessary to obiserve the rate of rotation of the shaft mem- Ibers 2 and 3 simultaneously with the observation of the torque in the rodI or shaft 7,

as described. This factor in the' problem may be obtained in anysuitable manner and .by any .means and applied to complete the calculations.

i I Wish it Ito be distinctly understood that necte to both the driving and driven members' and 3. At its opposite end, the rod or shaft 7a is fprovided `with flanges 20 and 21. To the rst flange 20 are bolted or otherwise rigidly secured bearing members 22 and 26. Around the shaft 7 is placed a rigid sleeve 23, 'which may be formed in two Semi-cylindiica1 portions bolted or otherwise secured together, and which is rigidly fastened at one end to the flange 21. At its other end, the sleeve 23 loosely surrounds the shaft 7a and carries rigidly secured thereto a gear segment 24. In the bearing members 22 and 26 is rotatably mount-` ed a beveled gear member 25, having on one end thereof and ,in line with its axis a mirror or reflector 14a.

This apparatus is used in exactly the same Vway as that above described. Rotation of the driving member 2 rotates the driven member B'and produces twist or torsion in theshaft or rod 7 connecting the two members. l The sleeve 23 is rigidly connected only to one end of the shaft or rod .7 and is, therefore, not subjected to torsion by rotation of the rotating members. There is, therefore, relative rotation between the gear segment 24 and bearing members 22 and 26 whiclrproduoes rotation of the gear member 25 on its own axis and rotation of the mirror 14 around the axis of the gear 25 and corresponding to the twist in the shaft 7, the mirror being also carried bodily around the axis of rotation of members 2 and 3, as bcfore. The amount of torsion or tvgist in the shaft 7 n may be read with a mirror scale 16 in which the image of the indicating mark is seen in the same manner as with the other form described.

Figs. 7 and 8 represent another form of the invention in which a flange 27 carried rigidly by one end of the shaft or rod 7 b supports a'gear member 28 with its axis of rotation parallel to that of rotation of the members 2 and 3. A sleeve 23'* supported rigidly at one end upon the rod or shaft 7 is provided at its other end with a gear segment 29, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of the gear 28.` On a cap on the end of the gear 28 and in line with its axis is mounted a mirror 142 having its surface at an angle to the axis of the gear. This apparatus is similar to those above described, except for the fact that the axis about which the mirror rotates is arallel instead of at an angle to the axis o? rotation of members 2 and 3. Consequently, the mirror frame 15 and conical mirror 16 must besupported in a different position` and as shown. The illuminator 9 is arranged to cast a beam in a line parallel to the axis of rotation of members 2 and 3 and into the path of movement of the mirror 14b which, each time it `ilector on said connecting,r member and arpasses the beam, is illuminated, thereby causing au image of the indicating mark 17 to be seen in mirror 16, as before.

What I claim is l. Apparatus ior determining and indicating the torque transmitted by a driving `to a driven member, comprising a. member `adapted to connect said driving and driven members and to be twisted thereby, and a retlectororrsaid connecting member and arranged to be carried bodily around the axis of rotation of said .members anc-L tgvbo rotatcd in accordance with the amouitof twist therein.

2. Apparatus for determining and indieating the torque transmitted by a driving to a driven member, comprising a member, adapted to connect said driving and driven members and to be twisted thereby, a re- 5 ranged to be carried bodily around the axis s of rotation of said members and to be ro tate@ in accordance with the amount of twist therein, and au illuminator arranged to cast light rays into the path of movement ol said reflector around the axis of rotation.

Aptiaratus for determining'and indieatingr tiie torque transmitted bya driving to a driven member, comprising a member adapted to connect said driving and driven members and to be twisted thereby, a reflector connected to said connecting member and arranged to be carried bodily around the axis of rotation of said members and to be rotated in accordance with the amount of twist therein, a projector arranged to illu minate said reflector as it travels around the axis of rotation, said reflector being provided with an indicating mark, and a refleeting scale in which is seen an image of 10i; said indicating niark.

4. Ap aratus for determining and indicating t ie torque transmitted by a driving to a driven member, comprising a member arranged to connect said members and to be twisted during rotation thereof, and means for indicating the amount of twist in said member, comprisingl a reflector connected to be moved in accordance with the amount of I twist in said member and provided with 1.13 an indicating mark, and means for illuminating said reflector to render said indieating mark visible. f

5. Apparatus for determining and indicating the torque transmitted by a driving to a driven member, (aii'nprising a shaft conncctiiig said members and arranged to be twisted during rotation thereof, and a relHector rigidly connected to said shaft and arranged to be moved in accordance with the amount of twist therein.

6. Apparatus for determining andindieatin f the torque transmitted by a driving to a riven member, comprising a shaft connecting said members and arranged to be Loensva twisted during rotation thereof, a reflector connected to said shaft and provided with an indicating mark and arranged to be moved in accordance with theamount of twist in said shaft, andan indicating scale upon which said reflector casts an limage of said. indicating mark.

7. Apparatus for determining and indicating the torque transmitted by a driving to a driven member, comprising a shaft connecting said members, a reflector rigidly mounted on said shaft and having an indi eating mark and arranged to be moved in accordance with the amount of twistin said shaft, and a projector arranged to illuminate said reflector to render said indicating mark visible.

8. Apparatus for determining and indicating the torque transmitted by a driving to a driven member, comprising a shaft connecting said members, a reflector on said shaft and arranged to be moved in accordance with the amount of twist in said shaft, a projector arranged to cast a beam or' light. into the path of movement of said reflector, and an indicatink scale arranged to receive the light rays re ected by said reflector.

S). Apparatus for determining and indicating the torque transmitted by a driving to a'driven member, comprising a shaftconnecting said members, a reflector on said shaft and provided with an indicating mark and arranged to be moved in accordance with the amount of twist in said shaft, a projector arranged to cast a beam of light into the path ot movement of said reflector, and an indicating scale upon which said re .fiectorcasts an image of said indicating mark. v

10. Apparatus for determining and indicating the torque transmitted by a driving to a driven member,I comprising coupling members on said driving and driven members, a transversely disposed shaft between said coupling members'aud connected and arranged to vbe twisted thereby, and a reflector carried by one end ot' said shaft and arranged to be moved in accru-dance with the amount of twist in .said transverse sha ft.

11. Apparatus for determining and indicating the torque transmitted by a driving to a driven member, comprising coupling members on said driving and driven members, a transversely disposed shaft between said coupling members and connected and arranged to be twisted thereby, a reflector carried by one end of said shaft and arranged to be moved in accordance with the amount of twist in said transverse shaft,

and a projector arranged to cast a beam of light into the path oit movement of said reflector.

12. Apparatus for determining andindieating the torque transmitted by a driving to a driven member, comprising coupling members on said driving and driven members, one thereof being provided Withvgear teeth, a transversel disposed shaft between said coupling mem ers and provided at its ends with gear teeth tomesh with the teeth of said coupling member and to be twisted thereby, a reflector carried by one end of 'said shaft and arranged to be moved in accordance with the amount of twist therein, a projector arranged to cast a beam of light into the path of movement of said reflector, and an indicating scale upon which the .beam of light coming from said projector is reflected by said reector.

13. Apparatus for determining and indicating the torque transmitted by a driving to a driven` member, comprising coupling members on said driving and driven mernbers, a transversely disposed shaft between said coupling members and connected and arranged tol be twisted thereby, a refiector 'carried by one end of said shaft and arranged to be moved 1n accordance Wlth the' amount of twist in said transverse shaft, a projector arranged tocast a beam of light into .the path of movement of said refiector, and ay conical reflecting scale arranged to receive the beam of lightreieeted by said refiector.

-14. Apparatus fordetermining' and indieating thevtorque transmitted by a driving to a driven member comprising, coupling members on said driving and driven members and provided w1th gear teeth, a transvers-elyA disposed shaft between sald cou pling members and provided at its ends with gear teeth to mesh with the teeth of said coupling members, a reflector carried by one end of said shaft and arranged to be moved in accordance with the. amount ofI twist in said transverse shaft, a projector arranged to cast a beam of light into the path of movement of said reflector, anda coni'cal reflecting scale arranged to Vreceive the beam of light reflected by said reflector and provided with graduated indicatingmarks.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand. y

ALBERT E. GUY.

W'it nesses t ELBERT L. Hyun, MARY E. CAnooN. 

